Iconic places such as Kruger National Park have a huge part in making South Africa a remarkable and sought-after holiday destination. But don’t make any mistake: once you have visited the magnificent wilderness that is Kruger and ticked Big 5 safari off on your bucket list, you have by means exhausted the phenomenal travel and holiday possibilities in South Africa. Here we suggest a few of the prime travel choices you could be making in South Africa post-Kruger National Park. Return to South Africa again and again – the holiday possibilities are legion.
A SAFARI IN PAFURI – BIODIVERSITY AT ITS BEST AND A GREAT CHOICE FOR BIRDERS
Still in Kruger National Park, but way up in the far north where fewer people visit, is a magnificent region called Pafuri. It is pretty remote, which is part of its appeal. The main allure, though, is its phenomenal biodiversity. Pafuri actually has three quarters of the Kruger National Park’s biodiversity, whilst only taking up a sliver of the park’s total area. The beauty of the area is staggering. It is a different environment from the other parts of Kruger National Park more commonly visited. Mopane woodlands, gorges, areas of ancient baobabs and forests of fever trees are among what you will see there. Pafuri is one of South Africa’s top areas for birding, another great attraction. If you are wanting luxury accommodation in the Pafuri area, The Outpost will most certainly provide just that. Situated in the Makuleke Contractual Park, this hillside sanctuary lords it over a vast wilderness, offering superb suites and amazing, unimpeded views. Mail us.
PRIME OCEAN ADVENTURE HOLIDAY IN MAPUTALAND
An ocean safari on the Maptualand Coast of South Africa, in KwaZulu-Natal Province – is a remote and splendid adventure, combining all the wonder of the ocean with the special brand of barefoot luxury offered at Thonga Beach Lodge. This gorgeous lodge stands in dense dune forest, along a pristine shoreline far away from the crowds. Live the life of beachside luxury close to the water’s edge, and participate in a variety of ocean adventures: seasonal turtle tracking at night, phenomenal scuba diving, fantastic snorkeling amid coral reeks and in rock pools, game and reef fishing, and boat adventures to see the greats of the big seas. Thonga has its own professional diving team and they are happy to accommodate and support both novices and veterans in their ocean experiences. Scuba training is available for guests of 10+ years. There are reefs located close to the lodge, and there are 1250 fish species occurring in this area. For guests not wanting to participate in the ocean adventures, there’s the beautiful beach to enjoy, as well as a swimming pool and health spa. Mail us.
WALKING & FLY CAMPING IN SAMARA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Explore the beautiful Karoo landscape of Samara Private Game Reserve on foot with a ranger and tracker. This is the home of the Big 5, South Africa’s most powerful animals, and much else besides. Spend a day discovering the reserve, and arrive at the waterside camp site at dusk. Enjoy a South African barbeque and spend the evening around the campfire. Sleep with just a tent separating you from the wilderness, and either walk or drive back to the lodge the following morning. Mail us.
A SOJOURN IN THE GREEN KALAHARI
The Green Kalahari is a majestic semi-desert in the Northern cape of South Africa, bordering Namibia. This is a world of stark desert beauty, and a world kept fertile by the life-giving Orange River. Tutwa Lodge stands in the beautiful world of the Green Kalahari – in a pristine private wilderness, and is privileged to have 24 km of Orange River frontage. Here, guests enjoy a fabulous combination of wildlife viewing, river activities, fly fishing and conservation insights on this intriguing landscape. Mail us.
ELLERMAN HOUSE BENGUELA DIAMOND SAFARI ON WEST COAST
This daytrip-of-a-lifetime is the exclusive privilege of guests staying at Ellerman House in Bantry Bay, Cape Town. (Of course, Ellerman House is an experience all of its own and second to none, offering the ultimate luxury on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, with bespoke art and wine experiences.) Your private diamond safari with Ellerman House and Benguela Diamonds departs on private charter flight for Port Nolloth on the west coast, where your base for the day will be a stunning villa in front of Benguela’s private off shore concession. After a delicious breakfast, the adventure begins. Guests can elect to dive (in quite shallow water), or to wait on the boat for the divers to return. The gravel returned from the seabed is then ‘jigged’ to separate the diamonds and certain gemstones from the rest. After that a more refined sorting and grading is applied. Enjoy a gourmet lunch on the villa terrace – perhaps fresh seafood from the west coast. After lunch guests learn about the grading of diamonds, from an expert while he works with the day’s yield. Fly back to Ellerman House for a memorable dinner at one of Cape Town’s most sought-after addresses. Mail us.
A LUXURY 10-DAY RAIL TRIP WITH GOLF & SAFARI STOPS
This 10-day train trip aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail travels from Pretoria to Cape Town (or the reverse) and features outstanding golfing and safari activities as off-train events, with appealing activities suggested for non-golfers. The highlights include a safari in Kruger National Park, but much else besides. The train travels through Swaziland to the Hluhluwe area in KwaZulu-Natal for some wildlife viewing on a different terrain, and also along the coast to Durban for a city tour. See the remarkable Valley of a Thousand Hills on route to Spionkop Lodge, which is a base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. The trip continues to Port Elizabeth, for a safari drive in Addo Elephant Park, and then proceeds to Oudtshoorn for an ostrich-farm visit. The train then descends through the Outeniqua Mountains to George, and from there to the Garden Route’s holiday playground of Knysna. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Garden Route, and then the Cape winelands before the journey ends in Cape Town. Mail us.
Mail us to book holidays in South Africa never to be forgotten. You can speak to us on +27 21 797-7122.
